Holding means for yarn winding carrier which is to rotate at high speeds

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for the rotary mounting of a textile yarn winding carrier comprising two members for axially holding the carrier at the extremities of the carrier and at least one supporting surface attached to each member, contacting the external surface of the carrier.

Unite ti Sartori Aug. 27, 1974 HOLDING MEANS FOR YARN WINDING CARRIER WHICH IS TO ROTATE AT HIGH [56] References Cited SPEEDS UNITED STATES PATENTS [75] Inventor: Rolland Sartori, Riorges, France 2,337,112 12/1943 King 242/1295! [73] Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc-Textile, Lyon Cedex, France [22] Filed: Sept. 7, 1972 Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath [21] Appl. N03 287,080 Attorney, Agent, or FirmSherman & Shalloway 3 F A r P D [57] ABSTRACT 0] melgn pp canon Monty am Apparatus for the rotary mounting of a textile yarn Sept. 15, 1971 France 71.33480 Carrier comprising two members r holding the carrier at the extremities of the carrier and [52] U.S. Cl 242/18 DD, 242/ 129.51 at least one Supporting Surface attached to each [51] lnt. Cl B65h 54/42, B65h 54/54 ber, Contacting the enema] surface of the Carrie [58] Field of Search 242/18 R, 18 DD, 129.51,

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures HOLDING MEANS FOR YARN WINDING CARRIER WHICH IS TO ROTATE AT HIGH SPEEDS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to rotary mounting or holding means for yarn winding carriers. More particularly, this invention relates to holding means for yarn winding carriers suitable for use at extremely high winding speeds.

In the textile industry, yarns are generally wound on tubular carriers having a cylindrical, conical or similar shape. Generally, these carriers are mounted on rotary machines and driven to wind up the yarn.

At the present time, there are two main types of supports utilized in conjunction with these yarn carriers. The first type of support consists of a mandrel which penetrates or is placed through the carrier and utilizes tightening elements which exert radial forces to immobilize the carrier on a mandrel. The second type of support comprises a pair of flanges or side plates which act through an axial thrust surface and a centering element to support the carrier. The flanges are rotatably mounted and coaxial with each other and are subjected to a return force toward each other so as to immobilize the winding yarn carrier by axial blocking. These two flanges may also be spread apart from each other so as to permit the insertion and removalof the winding carrier. One widely used embodiment of the second type of support or apparatus comprises a pivoting stirrup type arrangement having two parallel arms, each arm supporting a flange with at least one of the arms being hinged and biased in position by any suitable biasing means.

Both types of winding apparatus, however, have their drawbacks, especially when utilized for high speed windings, i.e. windings which are in excess of 2,000 m/mn. This especially becomes evident when attempts are made to utilize such apparatus with modern textile machinery which require winding speeds up to 5,000 or 6000 m/mn.

The mandrel type apparatus is unsatisfactory due to the basic structure of the mandrel, such disadvantages become accentuated at high speeds. Initially, the mandrels generally are heavy members which have high initial costs due to the requirement for the precision dynamic and rotational balancing necessary. Furthermore, the high weight of the mandrel adds an inertia lag both to the starting and stopping of the winding device. As noted above, these problems are accentuated at high speeds since the inertia causes a slow take-up or starting speed and reduced braking effectiveness, especially when the winding speed is extremely high. In a continuous winding apparatus, it is particularly important to reduce the acceleration and deceleration times since, during these periods, the yarn is not being taken up at the proper speed.

The actual configuration of the mandrel type apparatus also presents a problem since the winding yarn carrier is mounted on the mandrel by slipping the carrier over the mandrel at one end and sliding the same over the length of the mandrel. Although this operation is basically simple, it requires a considerable amount of time and further requires a substantial clearance at the end of the mandrel on which the carrier is to be inserted. Furthermore, this type of process step or apparatus insertion step is not conducive to automation.

The second mounting method of apparatus utilizing the two axial thrust flanges eliminates most of the problems associated with the mandrel; however, it is not suitable or well adapted for winding speeds on the order of 5,000 to 6,000 m/mn. which correspond to rotational speeds of from 20,000 to 25,000 t/mn. At these high rotational speeds, the centrifugal force extered on the carrier produces high radial stresses which, on a carrier held only at the ends by penetrating flanges, i.e. flanges on the interior of the carrier, ocassionally causes the carrier to burst during the initial wind up. This is because the minimum amount of yarn on the winding carrier is not sufficient to counteract the centrifugal force. Because of the extreme dangers involved with the possibility of bursting at high speed, these type of winding carrier supports have been totally excluded for use in high speed winding apparatus. Additionally, with both the mandrel and the gripping type supports, eccentric movements of the carriers are often caused by slight eccentricities in the mandrel and the support devices, plus additional variations in the carrier dimensions cause uneven winding on the carrier.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION It is, therefore, within the above environment and difficulties that the novel support apparatus of the present invention was developed. Briefly, such support apparatus comprises a frame, two supports rotatably and axially mounted on the frame, each support being biased toward the other and having an axial thrust surface, and at least one support surface attached to each support projecting toward the opposite support and adapted to contact the outer surface of a yarn carrier.

It is, therefore, the principle object of the present invention to provide supporting means for use in high speed textile winding apparatus.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a support member for use in textile winding apparatus which can be easily utilized and wherein the yarn support or carrier may be easily removed.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a support for use with high speed yarn take-up devices which eliminates the possiblity of rupture of the yarn carrier at high speed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The objects and advantages of the apparatus of the present invention will become more apparent from the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top sectional view of the apparatus of the present invention taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of one of the members of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an end view of an alternative embodiment of the members of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 55 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view, partially in section, of a still further embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. I shows the yarn carrier supports of the present invention used in a textile winding apparatus. The yarn carrier is mounted in a stirrup type apparatus comprising a fixed support arm 1, a cross member 2 and a pivotally mounted support arm 3. Support arms 1 and 3 are mounted on an axle 4 by means of axle members 5 which are attached to one end of arms 1 and 3. As noted above, arm 3 is pivotally mounted with respect to cross member 2 by means of hinge 6., arm 3 being biased toward arm 1 by means of spring or similar biasing member 7. At the ends of arms 1 and 3 opposite from rings 5 are axle members 8 and 9. Furthermore, at the axle member end of arm 3 is a handle 10 utilized to move arm 3 outward away from arm 1 and cross memher 2 so that yarn carrier 11 may be inserted into and removed from yarn carrier supports 12 and 13. In posi tion, yarn 15 passes over a guide 16 onto yarn carrier 11, driven by a driving roller 50, to be wound and stored.

FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of the yarn carrier supports of the present invention. Yarn carrier 11 is inserted into supports 12 and 13 against axial thrust surface 17 and 18 of supports 12 and 13. Furthermore, the outer circumferential surface of each end of yarn carrier 11 contact bearing supports 19 and 20 of supports 12 and 13. Bearing supports 19 and 20 which contact the outer surface of yarn carrier 11 at each end thereof support the same so that yarn carrier 11 can be rotated at high speeds and utilized with a high speed take-up apparatus, bearing supports 19 and 20 acting as a support and centering element for the winding carrier. For this reason, the profile and dimensions of the bearing supports are adapted to the profile or shape of the exterior surface of the yarn carrier at each end. Since yarn carriers utilized in the textile industry are generally cylindrical or conical in shape, these bearing supports 19 and 20 generally have an annular shape with the internal diameter corresponding to the external diameter of the end of the yarn carrier which is to be received within the bearing support.

As shown in FIG. 2, yarn carrier 11 is rotatably driven through axles 8 and/or 9 by drive means 21. If only one of axles 8 or 9 is driven, the yarn carrier itself transmits the rotational movement to the second member. Drive means 21 may be any conventional drive means, such as an electric motor with transmission by means of pulleys, belts or gears, or an air turbine or any other similar drive means. Furthermore, yarn carrier 1 1 may also be readily driven by means of driving roller 50 which contacts yarn carrier 11. When driving roller 50 is utilized as the drive means, the same must be shorter than yarn carrier 11 since supports 12 and 13 have a larger exterior diameter than yarn carrier 11. This is to ensure contact between the driving roller and the carrier or the driving roller and the yarn at the beginning of the driving process when the diameter of the yarn windings on yarn carrier 11 has not reached the exterior diameter of supports 12 and 13.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged sectional view of the supports of the present invention. Support 13 is mounted on arm 3 by axle 8 and ball bearings 22. Ball bearings 22 and axle 8 allow support 13 to freely rotate with respect to arm 3. Yarn carrier 11 is inserted into support 13 against axial thrust surface 23; axial thrust surface 23 is coated at least in part with a flexible or resilient coating 24 such that the ends of yarn carrier 11 contact these resilient coated portions 24 of axial thrust surface 23. Bearing support 20 is attached to support 13 and generally forms an annular surface. Bearing support 20 may be completely integral with support 13 or may further include a flexible covering 25 which contacts the outer surface of yarn carrier 11. Bearing support surface 25 may be any suitable material, such as a rigid metal or plastic material; however, it is preferable that support surface 25 be at least partially flexible, such flexible material being fixed to a rigid bearing support 20, as shown in FIG. 3. Generally, suitable flexible materials include felt, rubber, neoprene and absorbent polyamides, such materials also being suitable for use as the axial thrust coating 24.

Bearing support surface 25 may either be a closed ring completely coating the inside of the bearing support 20 or may be ring segments evenly distributed around the inside of bearing support 20.

The supports of the present invention by contacting the outer surface of yarn carrier 11 through bearing support surface 25 counteract the centrifugal force which is created when these yarn carriers are rotated at the extremely high speeds necessary for use in modern high speeds in textile winding apparatus. Furthermore, the centering of the yarn carrier 11 through the external surface thereof tends to cancel out any eccentric movements which are caused by variations in thickness of the carrier, such eccentric movements being accentuated by the use of prior penetrating flanges or mandrels. In addition to the elimination of the possibility of bursting of the carrier at high speeds, this also reduces or decreases the vibration since the rotation movement is considerably more regular thereby decreasing the amount of energy consumed. Furthermore, since the attaching means for yarn carrier 11 is quite simple, these carriers may be easily inserted and removed by automatic changing devices.

Lastly, the utilization of a flexible material for the bearing surface 25 and the axial support thrust surface 24 absorbs defects in the exterior surface of the yarn carrier and allows for slightly different dimensions, both in the longitudinal direction and in the crossseetional direction. Also, these flexible materials tend to reduce the sound created by support and carrier contact and ensure an even and smooth operation.

FIG. 4 shows an end view of an alternative embodiment of the support of the present invention. Support 30 which is mounted in a manner similar to the supports as shown in FIGS. 13 includes three longitudinal flanges 31. Each of these flanges 31 has a bearing support surface 32 attached to the inside surface thereof. Bearing support surfaces 32 contact yarn carrier 33 on the outside surface thereof and support and center the same in a manner similar to the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3. The end of yarn carrier 33 rests against axial support surface 34 which has a flexible coating similar to bearing support surfaces 32.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a still further embodiment of the yarn carrier support of the present invention wherein support 40 includes a longitudinal flange 41 with an integral bearing support surface 42. In this embodiment, support 40 includes an internal cylindrical support element 43 which is less than the internal diameter of yarn carrier 44. Yarn carrier 44 is inserted over internal support 43 which includes a series of bulges or ribs 45 around the periphery thereof so as to deflect the ends of yarn carrier 44 upward against bearing support surface 42. Support 40 also includes an axial thrust surface 46 which in conjunction with ribs 45 and centering element 43 firmly hold yarn carrier 44 in place. Again, as

with the other embodiments, bearing support surface 42 acts directly on the exterior surface of yarn carrier 44 to counteract centrifugal forces formed by the high speed of rotation of yarn 44.

The interaction between bearing support surface 42 and internal support element 43 and 45 on yarn carrier 44 greatly reduces the centrifugal forces which ocassionally cause bursting of these yarn carriers at high speed. As shown in HQ. 5, yarn carrier 44, which is generally made from a rigid but deformable material, such as cardboard or plastic, is slightly deformed at its extremity. This slight flaring or deformation creates a higher axial pressure by bearing support surface 42.

Although internal support element 43 is shown as having a general cylindrical shape with a series of spaced ribs or triangular elements around the periphery thereof, the element 43 also may be in the shape of a truncated cone.

While the support member of the present invention which prevents yarn carrier bursting has been illustrated by way of the foregoing specific examples and embodiments, the same are for the purposes of illustration only and the present invention is to be construed as broadly as any and all equivalents as defined in the following appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the rotary mounting of a hollow textile yarn winding carrier comprising a frame, two supports rotatably and axially mounted on said frame, said supports being biased toward each other and having an axial thrust surface and at least one support surface attached to each support projecting toward the opposite support, said support surface being concave and adapted to engage the outer periphery of an end of a yarn carrier wherein said support has an internal sup port element mounted on said axial thrust surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said internal support element is in the shape of a truncated cone.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said internal support element includes a series of spaced ribs around the periphery of said internal support element.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said support surface is formed from a rigid material.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said support surface is formed from a rigid material.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said axial thrust surface has a coating of a flexible material.

7. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support surface is formed on the radially inwardly facing concave surface of a plurality of circumferentially spaced elements distributed around the axis of rotation.

8. Apparatus for the rotary mounting of a hollow tex tile yarn winding carrier comprising a frame, two supports rotatably and axially mounted on said frame, said supports being biased toward each other and having an axial thrust surface and at least one support surface attached to each support projecting toward the opposite support, said support surface being concave and adapted to engage the outer periphery of an end of a yarn carrier wherein said support surface is formed on the radially inwardly-facing concave surface of a plurality of circumferentially-spaced elements distributed around the axis of rotation.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said support surface is formed from a flexible material. 

1. Apparatus for the rotary mounting of a hollow textile yarn winding carrier comprising a frame, two supports rotatably and axially mounted on said frame, said supports being biased toward each other and having an axial thrust surface and at least one support surface attached to each support projectinG toward the opposite support, said support surface being concave and adapted to engage the outer periphery of an end of a yarn carrier wherein said support has an internal support element mounted on said axial thrust surface.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said internal support element is in the shape of a truncated cone.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said internal support element includes a series of spaced ribs around the periphery of said internal support element.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said support surface is formed from a rigid material.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said support surface is formed from a rigid material.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said axial thrust surface has a coating of a flexible material.
 7. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support surface is formed on the radially inwardly facing concave surface of a plurality of circumferentially spaced elements distributed around the axis of rotation.
 8. Apparatus for the rotary mounting of a hollow textile yarn winding carrier comprising a frame, two supports rotatably and axially mounted on said frame, said supports being biased toward each other and having an axial thrust surface and at least one support surface attached to each support projecting toward the opposite support, said support surface being concave and adapted to engage the outer periphery of an end of a yarn carrier wherein said support surface is formed on the radially inwardly-facing concave surface of a plurality of circumferentially-spaced elements distributed around the axis of rotation.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said support surface is formed from a flexible material. 